'''Pennsylvania Dutch Country''' is a region in South Central Pennsylvania. While the area consists of rural areas, towns and three small cities and is noted for its high Amish population, it is home to over 1.5 million people and maintains one of the highest rates of population growth in the Northeast United States due to lower cost of living but close proximity to major metropolitan areas. It is truly a diverse region with rolling hills, orchards and farms but also growing, bustling and vibrant cities.

+

'''Pennsylvania Dutch Country''' is a region in [[Pennsylvania]] also referred to as '''South Central Pennsylvania'''. The region is home to many major tourist attractions such as Lancaster county's Amish country, Harrisburg's state capitol and museums and Hershey's chocolate world and theme park.

==Regions==

==Regions==

*[[Harrisburg area|Harrisburg metropolitan area]]

*[[Harrisburg area|Harrisburg metropolitan area]]

−

*[[Lancaster county|Lancaster county]]

+

*[[Lancaster County]]

+

*[[Cumberland County (Pennsylvania)|Cumberland County]]

==Cities==

==Cities==

+

*[[Carlisle (Pennsylvania)|Carlisle]]

+

*[[Chambersburg]]

+

*[[Grantville]]

*[[Harrisburg|Harrisburg]]

*[[Harrisburg|Harrisburg]]

+

*[[Hummelstown]]

*[[Lancaster (Pennsylvania)|Lancaster]]

*[[Lancaster (Pennsylvania)|Lancaster]]

+

*[[Lebanon (Pennsylvania)|Lebanon]]

+

*[[Mount Gretna]]

*[[Reading (Pennsylvania)|Reading]]

*[[Reading (Pennsylvania)|Reading]]

−

*[[York (Pennsylvania)|York]]

−

*[[Lebanon (Pennsylvania)|Lebanon]]

−

*[[Carlisle (Pennsylvania)|Carlisle]]

==Other destinations==

==Other destinations==

*[[Hershey (Pennsylvania)|Hershey]]

*[[Hershey (Pennsylvania)|Hershey]]

+

*[[Gettysburg]]

==Understand==

==Understand==

+

While Pennsylvania Dutch Country consists of a lot of rural areas and is noted for its high Amish population, it is home to over 1.5 million people and maintains one of the highest rates of population growth in the Northeast United States due to lower cost of living but close proximity to major metropolitan areas. It is truly a diverse region with rolling hills, orchards and farms but also growing, vibrant yet historic cities.

==Talk==

==Talk==

+

Much of the "Plain" population (consisting of groups like the Amish and Old Order Mennonites) is bi-lingual, speaking both English and a dialect of German called "Pennsylvania Dutch." A much smaller portion of the non-Plain population of Pennsylvania Dutch descent is also bilingual. Among the Plain, some smaller children speak only this dialect until starting school. The name "Pennsylvania Dutch" is actually a mispronunciation of "Deitsch," or German in the regional dialect. Church services are held in "high German," as opposed to the dialect.

==Get in==

==Get in==

−

The closest international airport to Pennsylvania Dutch Country is Harrisburg International. (MDT) Rental cars are widely available and the city of Lancaster is a short, 30 minute drive along Interstate I-283.

+

===By plane===

+

There are several regional airports in south central Pennsylvania but the largest and most used is Harrisburg International Airport [http://wwww.flyhia.com] (MDT) located in Middletown, just minutes from Harrisburg and PA Route 283. Harrisburg International Airport has over a dozen non-stop flights to cities in the U.S. and Toronto in Canada.

==Get around==

==Get around==

+

===By car===

+

The easiest way to get around the region is by car. There is an extensive network of roads and the area is criss-crossed by several major interstates (81, 76, 83) and U.S. routes (11, 15, 22, 30).

+

+

===By train===

+

Amtrak's high-speed Keystone line [http://www.catchthekeystone.com/] travels through Lancaster and Dauphin county with stops in Lancaster, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Middletown and [[Harrisburg]] is useful if traveling between Lancaster and Harrisburg but does not link up the rest of the region.

==See==

==See==

Line 33:

Line 46:

==Do==

==Do==

−

An excellent way to see the Amish by automobile is to travel along Rt 896. Follow Route 30 East from Lancaster for 3 or 4 miles and make a right turn when you come to Rt 896. It will be directly past the outlet centers. This road will take you to the little town of Strasburg which is a very picturesque place in its own right. Along the way, you will see numerous farms and probably a decent number of horse and buggies. Please remember to drive slowly around the Amish horses in order to avoid scaring them.

+

===Ski===

−

*<do name="Strasburg Railroad" alt="" address="301 Gap Road Ronks, PA 17572" directions="Rt 30 East, turn right on 896, then left on 741. Railroad is on the left side" phone="717-687-7522" url="http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Authentic steam-powered locomotives will take you for a ride back in time. Very realistic and lots of fun. There is also a picnic grounds where the train stops and riders can get on or off. It provides a lovely, secluded area for those wise enough to bring a packed lunch.</do>

+

*Ski Roundtop [http://www.skiroundtop.com/]

−

*<do name="Rainbow Dinner Theatre" alt="" address="3065 Rt 30 East Paradise, PA 17562" directions="Take rt 30 East to Paradise. Theater is directly behind the Best Western" phone="717-687-4300" url="http://www.rainbowdinnertheatre.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Very economical and enjoyable way to spend an evening. The food comes highly recommended and the shows are sure to bring a smile and/or a laugh.</do>

+

*Ski Liberty [http://www.skiliberty.com/]

+

*Whitetail Resort [http://www.skiwhitetail.com/]

+

==Buy==

==Eat==

==Eat==

−

*<eat name="Miller's Smorgasbord" alt="" address="2811 Lincoln Highway East Ronks, PA 17572" directions="On the left side of Rt 30. About a mile past rt 896 when travelling East." phone="1-800-669-3568 " url="http://www.millerssmorgasbord.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Very authentic Dutch food for a fair price. Restaurant is often crowded, so reservations are highly recommended. There are many shops on the premises which are well worth checking out.</eat>

+

==Drink==

−

==Buy==

+

==Sleep==

−

Amish are known for their well-made wooden furniture. Showrooms are clustered along main roads.

*Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center [http://www.padutchcountry.com/]

−

−

{{isIn|Pennsylvania}}

[[WikiPedia:South Central Pennsylvania]]

[[WikiPedia:South Central Pennsylvania]]

−

{{outline}}

Revision as of 21:28, 31 January 2013

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a region in Pennsylvania also referred to as South Central Pennsylvania. The region is home to many major tourist attractions such as Lancaster county's Amish country, Harrisburg's state capitol and museums and Hershey's chocolate world and theme park.

Regions

Cities

Other destinations

Understand

While Pennsylvania Dutch Country consists of a lot of rural areas and is noted for its high Amish population, it is home to over 1.5 million people and maintains one of the highest rates of population growth in the Northeast United States due to lower cost of living but close proximity to major metropolitan areas. It is truly a diverse region with rolling hills, orchards and farms but also growing, vibrant yet historic cities.

Talk

Much of the "Plain" population (consisting of groups like the Amish and Old Order Mennonites) is bi-lingual, speaking both English and a dialect of German called "Pennsylvania Dutch." A much smaller portion of the non-Plain population of Pennsylvania Dutch descent is also bilingual. Among the Plain, some smaller children speak only this dialect until starting school. The name "Pennsylvania Dutch" is actually a mispronunciation of "Deitsch," or German in the regional dialect. Church services are held in "high German," as opposed to the dialect.

Get in

By plane

There are several regional airports in south central Pennsylvania but the largest and most used is Harrisburg International Airport [2] (MDT) located in Middletown, just minutes from Harrisburg and PA Route 283. Harrisburg International Airport has over a dozen non-stop flights to cities in the U.S. and Toronto in Canada.

Get around

By car

The easiest way to get around the region is by car. There is an extensive network of roads and the area is criss-crossed by several major interstates (81, 76, 83) and U.S. routes (11, 15, 22, 30).

By train

Amtrak's high-speed Keystone line [3] travels through Lancaster and Dauphin county with stops in Lancaster, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Middletown and Harrisburg is useful if traveling between Lancaster and Harrisburg but does not link up the rest of the region.

See

Plain and Fancy Farm, [4]. Good all-around tour of the Amish community including a restaurant, bus tours and a movie. Particularly good if you're a foreign visitor without a car.

Itineraries

Do

Ski

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Eisenhower Hotel & Conference Center - Gettysburg, 2634 Emmitsburg Road, ☎717-334-8121, [1]. Whether your visit to Gettysburg is for family fun, exploring the National Battlefield, attending a wedding or part of a group gathering; you'll enjoy staying at the Gettysburg Eisenhower Hotel.